Commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has declined sharply due to rising military tensions between the United States and Iran.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing information from Interfax and maritime tracking firm Windward, that the volume of vessels navigating this critical waterway has dropped significantly.
According to the data, while 18 to 22 vessels were recorded passing through the strait just days ago, only six ships were observed within the last 12-hour period. Furthermore, the company noted an increase in "dark transits," where vessels switch off their transponders to conceal their locations and movements.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints, serving as a vital artery for global energy supplies, as a significant portion of the world's oil production passes through this narrow passage between Iran and Oman. Any disruption in this region typically triggers immediate volatility in global energy markets.
Earlier, the Axios portal reported that the US government has demanded that Iran ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains fully open for commercial shipping by Saturday at the latest. In exchange, the US military has indicated it would refrain from striking Iranian targets.
